Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday could have been decided by Cody Gakpo’s disallowed goal
Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday could have been decided by Cody Gakpo’s disallowed goal.
The Premier League has explained why Cody Gakpo’s equalizer for Liverpool was disallowed due to an unusual VAR procedure. On Saturday, the Reds were trailing Aston Villa, and while Roberto Firmino equalized late in the game, Jurgen Klopp could have had all three points if Gakpo’s close-range strike had stood.
High-flying At Anfield, Villa got off to a fast start, with Jacob Ramsey volleying home at the back post to silence the home crowd. Klopp and his team will accept nothing less than a win in their pursuit of a top-four spot, with Manchester United and Newcastle comfortably ahead.
When Gakpo lashed into the bottom corner, they appeared to be given a lifeline, but after a lengthy VAR consultation, referee John Brooks determined that the goal could not stand. Although the former PSV Eindhoven forward remained with the club throughout the transfer, supporters were perplexed by the final decision.
Ezra Konsa deflected Luis Diaz’s header back across goal, landing at the feet of Virgil van Dijk, who was standing beyond the last line of defense but appeared to be played onside before crossing back in for the goal, but Brooks determined that the Villa defender’s contribution was not intentional.
Konsa’s refusal to play the ball, according to a Premier League statement, was critical. “The VAR recommended a review,” according to the document. “And referee John Brooks determined that it was an unintentional deflection off Ezri Konsa, not a deliberate play.”
Despite Firmino’s late equalizer in his last appearance at Anfield, the result was a bitter blow for the Reds, who will almost certainly be forced to compete in Europe’s second-tier club competition next season.
After receiving a touchline ban for his comments about referee Paul Tierney last month, Klopp was forced to watch the game from the stands. Despite the outcry over Villa’s disallowed goal and Tyrone Mings’ potential red card, the German chose to ignore the issues after the game.
Klopp, on the other hand, chastised Villa, who are also vying for a European spot under Unai Emery, for wasting time. “Wow,” Klopp said of the wasted time.
“We saw the ballboys leave the country during the game against Sevilla.” How long did Roma and Leverkusen have possession of the ball? It is something that everyone does. This has happened in several games this season. Nothing to do with today’s outcome.”
The Reds’ season will come to an end next weekend when they travel to relegated Southampton, with Klopp admitting that his team has been far too poor for far too long to merit fourth place.
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